Alex McLeish could have been forgiven if he had watched Manchester United's midweek Carling Cup defeat at the hands of Crystal Palace with his head in his hands. His Villa side could well face the backlash on Saturday evening. Sir Alex Ferguson insisted he was happy with his side's form after the quarter-final loss but must be concerned with United's faltering firepower – his side have not scored more than one goal in a league game since the 2-0 win over Norwich on 1 October. Still, Villa currently look ill-equipped to take advantage. John Ashdown

Venue Villa Park

Tickets £21-£47 (0800 612 0970)

Last season Aston Villa 2 Manchester United 2

Referee L Probert

This season's matches 8 Y25, R0, 3.12 cards per game

Odds Aston Villa 17-4 Man Utd 13-20 Draw 13-5

Aston Villa

Subs from Guzan, Ireland, Jenas, Bannan, Albrighton, Clark, Cuéllar, Weimann, Herd, Baker, Lowry, Gardner, Johnson

Doubtful None

Injured Delfouneso (hamstring, 10 Dec), Lichaj (hip, unknown)

Suspended None

Form guide DLWDLL

Disciplinary record Y29 R1

Leading scorer Agbonlahor, Bent 5

Man Utd

Subs from Lindegaard, Diouf, Evans, Valencia, Giggs, Smalling, Gibson, Fryers, Morrison, Park, R da Silva

Doubtful None Injured Welbeck (muscle strain, 10 Dec) Berbatov (ankle, 10 Dec), F da Silva (hamstring, 10 Dec), Cleverley (ankle, Jan), Owen (thigh, Jan), Anderson (knee, Feb)

Suspended None

Form guide DWWWLD Disciplinary record Y17 R1

Leading scorer Rooney 9

Match pointers

• Aston Villa have won none of their last 15 home league games against United

• In three of their last four visits to Villa Park, United have conceded first but then come back to win one and draw the other two

• If selected, Emile Heskey will make his 500th Premier League appearance

• Nemanja Vidic scored in both matches between these sides last season

• This is Villa's worst start to a season since the 2005-06 campaign, when they had 12 points after 13 games and finished 16th